Tokyo: Japanese and European Union lawmakers Monday exchanged opinions about support for Ukraine under military attack from Russia and the energy crisis triggered by their war.

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is an open challenge to the international order,” Hajime Funada, who heads the Japanese delegation, told a meeting with the EU side at an office building for members of the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of the Diet, Japan’s parliament.

“We need to unite and work to bring the war to an end as soon as possible,” said Funada, a member of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber.

Prior to the meeting, European Parliament member Christel Schaldemose, head of the EU delegation, and others visited Lower House Speaker Hiroyuki Hosoda and Upper House President Hidehisa Otsuji.

The Japanese and EU lawmakers will discuss soaring prices and climate change Tuesday.

JIJI Press